Research interests
After a rural upbringing, I continued with my passion for farming by undertaking a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University. I spent some time working on farms, both in NZ and overseas, before returning to science and completing an international Masters degree in Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering at Lincoln University and BOKU University in Vienna. My thesis topic was 'The effects of winter forage crop grazing of hillslopes on soil erosion in South Otago'.I strive to combine my practical experience and theoretical knowledge to study and find solutions for sustainable agriculture. In my role at Manaaki-Whenua Landcare Research, I am leading the field measurement of soil water attributes across the North and South Islands. Recent research has included a particular focus on irrigated soils, as part of the S-map national soil survey project and the Federated Farmers led Sustainable Farming Fund project on the effects of irrigation on soil physical attributes. Involvement with other research projects includes the National Soil Carbon Monitoring programme and Regenerating Hill Country Landscapes, among others.
Qualifications
Lincoln
MH Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering
2017
Publications
Mudge PL, Millar J, Pronger J, Roulston A, Penny V, Fraser S, Eger A, Caspari T, Robertson B, Mason NWH, Schipper LA 2021. Impacts of irrigation on soil C and N stocks in grazed grasslands depends on aridity and irrigation duration. Geoderma 399. WOS:000656902300009 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115109
Robertson BB, Almond PC, Carrick ST, Penny V, Eger A, Chau HW, Smith CMS 2021. The influence of rock fragments on field capacity water content in stony soils from hard sandstone alluvium. Geoderma 389. WOS:000621897200001 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114912
Robertson BB, Almond PC, Carrick ST, Penny V, Chau HW, Smith CMS 2021. Variation in matric potential at field capacity in stony soils of fluvial and alluvial fans. Geoderma 392: 114978. WOS:000627883100001 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.114978
Drewry JJ, Carrick S, Penny V, Houlbrooke DJ, Laurenson S, Mesman NL 2021. Effects of irrigation on soil physical properties in predominantly pastoral farming systems: a review. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 64(4): 483-507. WOS:000524053600001 https://doi.org/10.1080/00288233.2020.1742745
Penny V 2020. All water is not equally available. In: Scott A ed. Farmers Weekly. Wellington, New Zealand, Farmers Weekly. Pp. 18. farmersweekly.co.nz
Penny V, Carrick S 2020. How do soils behave under irrigation. IrrigationNZ news(Winter Edition): 44-45.
Ekanayake J, Carrick S, Penny V 2019. Cloud-connected, smartphone-driven infiltrometer network. Soil Horizons. https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/soil-horizons/soil-horizons-articles/infiltrometer-network/